This draft is teeming with speedy, undersized cornerbacks. I have a friend whose shtick is to approach every bartender like it’s his first time in a bar and say, I’d like to try a beer. Ozzie Newsome still reaches draft weekend and says, I’d like to sample one of your Alabama defenders, please.

Kyzir White is a high-effort, high-character defender who played the Spur position for the Mountaineers. The Spur is basically a nickel linebacker or box safety, so you know what that means: White is a tweener, a hybrid, a specialized matchup defender, someone who doesn’t fit our outdated 3-4/4-3 positional nomenclature, even though he fits just fine on the modern football field where defenses are in nickel or dime personnel groups about 70 percent of the time. White throws his body around in run defense and can use his long arms and quickness to stick with tight ends in pass coverage.

Stave signed with the Vikings as an undrafted rookie in 2016 and has spent time with the Seahawks, Chiefs, Redskins and Jets as well over the last two years. He has not played in or dressed for a regular season game.

The Browns also announced that they have waived wide receiver Matt Hazel, defensive back Kai Nacua and wide receiver Kasen Williams. The Browns drafted two wide receivers and two defensive backs over three days in Dallas.

I profiled Kyle Lauletta in early April. He’s an exceptionally bright individual who actually majored in Leadership in college—don’t snicker, you communications majors; it sounds like a really cool, challenging program—and earned Senior Bowl MVP status after an impressive week. He’s a great decision-maker and short passer, but deep outs and long throws tend to die on him.

]]>http://www.kolektorferriteinductor.com/archives/164/feed0Lions mailbag: Which back is running out of time?http://www.kolektorferriteinductor.com/archives/162
http://www.kolektorferriteinductor.com/archives/162#respondFri, 18 May 2018 15:31:00 +0000http://www.kolektorferriteinductor.com/?p=162http://www.kolektorferriteinductor.com/archives/162/feed0Adam Gase: DeVante Parker has more of a purpose on the fieldhttp://www.kolektorferriteinductor.com/archives/160
http://www.kolektorferriteinductor.com/archives/160#respondWed, 16 May 2018 22:23:36 +0000http://www.kolektorferriteinductor.com/?p=160http://www.kolektorferriteinductor.com/archives/160/feed0Ben Roethlisberger Jersey isn鈥檛 a fan of using a third-round pick on a quarterbackhttp://www.kolektorferriteinductor.com/archives/158
http://www.kolektorferriteinductor.com/archives/158#respondMon, 14 May 2018 21:22:30 +0000http://www.kolektorferriteinductor.com/?p=158http://www.kolektorferriteinductor.com/archives/158/feed0Like Kipnis, Fowler is slow out of the gate.http://www.kolektorferriteinductor.com/archives/155
http://www.kolektorferriteinductor.com/archives/155#respondSat, 12 May 2018 22:19:48 +0000http://www.kolektorferriteinductor.com/?p=155read more]]>Sam Darnold is projected by some to be the first guy taken in the draft, but regardless of when he’s picked, he’ll be the fifth USC quarterback selected since the 2008 draft. Darnold is expected to be the first USC quarterback taken in the first round since Mark Sanchez was drafted fifth overall in 2009. If Darnold goes No. 1, he’ll be the first Trojans quarterback selected first since Carson Palmer in 2003.

Dexter Fowler (B), 48 percent, St. Louis Cardinals at Pittsburgh Pirates (LHP Steven Brault): However, he also has a history of success to rely on. Brault has struggled with control throughout his career, including a 4.4 BB/9 this season. He also sports a low 5.6 K/9. Fowler as the patience to take advantage of Brault’s wildness, not to mention benefiting from a good chance to put a strike in play.

Friday poses a standard schedule, with the typical afternoon game at Wrigley Field when the Cubs are hosting a weekend series. Postponement and off days have scrambled rotations such that each slate has a little of everything. Corey Kluber headlines Friday’s games with the marquee matchups pairing off Stephen Strasburg and Zack Godley along with Dallas Keuchel entertaining Sean Manaea.

Drew Pomeranz (L), rostered in 44 percent of ESPN leagues, Boston Red Sox vs. Tampa Bay Rays: Pomeranz’s initial start of the 2018 season drew mixed review. He fanned seven but allowed five hits, two walks and three runs to the Athletics. His follow-up won’t be a cakewalk as the Rays tote an above-average .332 weighted on-base average (wOBA) versus southpaws into Fenway Park. Still, with strikeout upside, a rested bullpen and good run support, Pomeranz is in play.

San Diego Padres skipper Andy Green stated he’ll use closer Brad Hand when most needed, as opposed to strictly ninth-inning duties. This begs the question, “Who will vulture the saves when Hand is deployed earlier?” Usage patterns and early-season numbers suggest Kirby Yates, but don’t overlook what Adam Cimber has done so far, fanning 22 with just three walks in 17 innings.

Leonard Fournette is the only LSU back to be taken in the first round (No. 4 to the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2017) in the past 10 years, but the Tigers could get another one this year with junior Derrius Guice making the early NFL leap. Guice, who battled through injuries in 2017, rushed for 1,251 yards and 11 touchdowns while averaging 5.3 yards per carry. ESPN NFL draft guru Mel Kiper lists him as his No. 2 running back on his final Big Board.